DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Are you and your family ready for a disaster? If you’re not, now is the time to prepare.

Hurricane season begins June 1st, but we’ve already had two tropical storms. Just this week, Beryl made landfall near Georgia. It didn’t cause any major problems, but next time, we may not be so lucky.

In addition to weather dangers, we face other threats. Dangerous chemicals are transported through our neighborhoods on rails and roads every day. Have you ever thought how you would react if a toxic leak forced you to evacuate?

Recently, we put an Albany family to the test. We gave them five minutes to gather whatever they could and get out of their home. The Cooks did pretty well. They packed a couple of suitcases, grabbed some important documents, and strapped the kids in the car within five minutes. But they forgot things like food and water, a cell phone charger, a flashlight, even their dog.

The Red Cross has some excellent tips to help you pack an emergency kit ahead of time and prepare for any kind of disaster. Every family should check it out and make some emergency plans. Hopefully, you’ll never need to put the plan in action, but one day it might just help save your life.

Fallen Marine

One week after our community cheered and celebrated the accomplishment of a Leesburg Hometown Hero, we find ourselves grieving the sacrifice of another:

Lance Corporal Steve Sutton, a 2007 graduate of Lee County High School, a popular football player, a United States Marine.

Corporal Sutton gave his life for you and for me.

Nicknamed Big Steve, the six foot eight, 24 year old Marine was a husband, a father, a son, and a friend to many.

Those friends say he was a gentle giant with a kind heart.

Stationed at Camp LeJune, North Carolina since 2009, Corporal Sutton left for Afghanistan in January.

He was killed in combat there while on patrol Saturday.

We are saddened by his death, humbled by his sacrifice, and grateful that this United States Marine loved our country enough to fight for it.

Let us all pause to remember this young man, his family, and all the other military men and women who spend their days in danger for us.

We ask all of you to honor him by lowering flags to half staff and displaying signs and remembrances to him as readily as we did for last week’s hero.

Because unlike our American Idol, this American hero won’t be coming home.